European Parliament pushes for opening railway market

1 October 2003

The European Shippers’ Council warmly welcomes today’s adoption by the European Parliament’s Transport Committee of the so-called Second Railway Package.

The Transport Committee voted in favour of an accelerated market-opening, both for freight transport (1 January 2006) and passenger services (1 January 2008). ESC considers the introduction of competition in rail as an essential step in completing the internal transport market and putting railway transport on an equal footing with other transport modes. Competition will trigger a much needed increase in service quality, without which rail transport’s market share would continue to fall.

Additionally, the report allows shippers and freight forwarders to apply for slot capacity as well, which will reinforce their negotiating position with respect to the railway companies, again stimulating the latter to improve their service quality.

To prevent Member States from blocking competition on national railway markets, the Parliament demands that Member States first seek the approval of the European Commission before introducing new national safety rules. A position which ESC fully endorses.

ESC encourages the European Parliament to adopt the report of the Transport Committee and to come to a final agreement with the Council of Ministers in the coming weeks.

For further information contact: Nicolette van der Jagt, Secretary General of the ESC - Brussels 00 322 230 2113